tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post115928720273986582..comments2023-10-24T11:05:25.288-04:00Comments on Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events: Spanish Teacher -- not at International Middle School -- come onMark Rauterkushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-1159443944222331592006-09-28T07:45:00.000-04:002006-09-28T07:45:00.000-04:00I spoke with Mr. Walters late this afternoon; he t...<I>I spoke with Mr. Walters late this afternoon; he thinks that he has a possible substitute teacher for his Spanish classes. Hopefully, it will not take as long to get the paperwork done as it did when we lost our German teacher 2 years ago.<BR/><BR/>Is there a teacher shortage in the Pittsburgh area? Is there a language teacher shortage? Why doesn't the Human Relations Office have adequate subs available? Is it the responsibility of individual principals to hunt for their own teachers? Are there other openings at Schenley, Allderdice, Frick, and the elementary schools that have not been filled? Is it just a reality in a large city school system that it takes weeks into the school term to find and fill the personnel needs? Although the crisis might be over at Frick for now, I think we need to be aware of what is happening in the classrooms. . . . . And you know that I will update you on this situation if the Spanish sub does not begin in a reasonable amount of time.<BR/><BR/>amy moore</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7481330.post-1159297389437987532006-09-26T15:03:00.000-04:002006-09-26T15:03:00.000-04:00More from Amy, the source:I have not heard from an...More from Amy, the source:<BR/><BR/><I>I have not heard from anyone at the board/admin but I did get additional information from Ms. Lyall and several 'Dice parents. Thank you. The position at Frick is just temporary while the one at Allderdice would be a contract. It is understandable that they would offer a job to someone who is subbing. Action is still needed from Frick parents (present, past and future parents and anyone who is concerned about the Pittsburgh Public Schools.)<BR/><BR/>We have discussed this issue at numerous IS cluster meetings: Why is it so difficult to find and keep qualified language teachers? If Allderdice's Spanish classes were so overcrowded (50 to a class), why did it take until September 26 to decide to create another position? <BR/><BR/>One point that I want to emphasize: I am not faulting Allderdice for "taking" Frick's teacher. I think it is important that we work with Allderdice to improve those areas of the school system that parents can affect. The IS program has many supporters from Allderdice and a combined effort of Frick, Schenley, and Allderdice parents should be a strong voice. One of the problems that Allderdice has to deal with is not knowing how many students they will end up with when the year starts. As a neighborhood school, as I understand it, they have to accept the students from the neighborhood. That means that a student can sign up for Schenley and then decide at the last minute to go to 'Dice. <BR/><BR/>Enough philosophizing, what can we do at this point? First of all, if anyone knows of an available Spanish teacher, contact Mr. Walters. An emergency certification is possible if otherwise qualified. <BR/><BR/>Second, write letters, send emails, make phone calls. We were told in August that human relations/personnel had been changed so that teacher hiring would be improved. We need to let the admin know that we are serious about demanding quality teachers. <BR/><BR/>amy moore</I>Mark Rauterkushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17157914569686528007noreply@blogger.com